At least part of an antimicrobial catheter for use in humans and lower animals comprises a permeable polymer. The polymer must be in contact with both the environment external to the catheter and with a liquid reservoir of antimicrobial agent flowing through the lumen of the catheter, said liquid reservoir comprising an aqueous solution containing at least a minimum lethal concentration of a straight-chain carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid salt having from 4 to 9 carbon atoms. In use, the antimicrobial agent diffuses from the liquid reservoir through the polymer and provides a zone of microbial inhibition around the external surface of the catheter. The invention thus prevents nosocomial infections resulting from the use of catheters by inhibiting micro-organisms at and around the placement site of the catheter when the catheter is inserted into the body of a human or lower animal.
用于人类和低等动物的抗菌导管至少有一部分由可渗透聚合物组成。该聚合物必须与导管外部环境和流经导管管腔的抗菌剂储液器接触,所述储液器包括
水溶液,其中至少含有最低致死浓度的直链
羧酸或具有 4 至 9 个碳原子的
羧酸盐。使用时,抗菌剂从储液器通过聚合物扩散,在导管外表面形成微
生物抑制区。因此,当导管插入人体或低等动物体内时,本发明可抑制导管放置部位及其周围的微
生物,从而防止因使用导管而引起的院内感染。